The director of the National Library in Phnom Penh has sent a proposal to the Japanese Embassy requesting support for the construction of two new reading rooms at the library’s campus near Wat Phnom, officials said Sunday.
The library currently is capable of accommodating only 60 readers at a time, but on an average day between 40 and 70 students, researchers and scholars use the library’s reading facilities, library Director Khlot Vibolla said Sunday.
The proposal sent to the Japanese Embassy asks for assistance in constructing two buildings that can accommodate 300 readers at a time and that includes areas for video showrooms and space to archive books and documents, she said.
“All types of documents and books are kept together on the same bookshelf. If we could get the new building, we would divide the books into categories which would be comfortable for both us and the readers and researchers who could be in different places doing their work,” she added.
Khlot Vibolla said she has not received a reply from the Japanese Embassy regarding the project.
The proposal was sent late last year through the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.
Japanese Embassy officials on Sunday said that they were unfamiliar with the National Library construction proposal but that they would check on its status.
Users of the National Library will be able to borrow items for the first time starting in July because many of the books and documents have been given code numbers.
But those wishing to borrow must first become members of the library and provide proper identity and a valid home address, Khlot Vibolla said.
Deau Davin, 22, a student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said at the library on Friday that if Japan were unable to assist, the Cambodian government should fund the construction project itself.
Student Ratanak Both, 24, also said that the library’s upkeep should be a national priority.
“No library, no country,” she said.
